Worship for the Weekday
From Strength to Strength
Psalm 84:19
1. > How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2. My soul longs, yea, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4. Blessed are those who dwell in thy house, ever singing thy praise! [Selah] 5. Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6. As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7. They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion. 8. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! [Selah] 9. Behold our shield, O God; look upon the face of thine anointed!
Again we are reminded that each of us possesses a part of God within us. We do long for Him, and for that feeling of His grace to wash over us. If we’re lucky it happens once or twice in our life times. When we have no doubt, do hesitation in believing that God is Lord of all—especially of us and our souls. I guess you could call it a foretaste of heaven.
In verse three even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest at the altar of the Lord. God provides for all, everyone and everything He has made. How wonderful to be like a bird, able to fly right up next to God and nest there! How wonderful to dwell in His house and sing God’s praises all day long! Even with my voice, in heaven it would sound beautiful! Or maybe I would receive a different assignment!
Blessed here means blessed, happy, peaceful. We all strive for that in our lives. It’s had to find; hard to achieve. The world is so full of distractions and temptations that its easy to get sidetracked from our real need—our only need: God. He is our Lord, our King, my Lord, my King. He wants to be for each us exactly what we need. He is all-sufficient, and He wants us to be satisfied in His sufficiency.
Our hearts long for heaven. When we set out on the journey that leads us to God, we find sustenance and direction and we do not lose our way. Every trial become less difficult, every burden easier to bear. Every challenge in life becomes a testament to God’s power working within us as we overcome and defeat those challenges.
God is the God of gods. Above all others. Above all else; above everything. We are truly blessed when your strength is in Him and our hearts seek His peace.
I hope today you find rest and comfort on the highway to Zion. Set your heart on God. He will sustain you and satisfy you today as you go into the world.
Mary
The Source and Meaning of our Lives
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Psalm 62
1. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly moved. 3. How long will you set upon a man to shatter him, all of you, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4. They only plan to thrust him down from his eminence. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. [Selah] 5. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. [Selah] 9. Men of low estate are but a breath, men of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10. Put no confidence in extortion, set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 11. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God; 12. and that to thee, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For thou dost requite a man according to his work.
I read through so many of the psalms this morning! I didn’t feel especially drawn to one in particular, but did realize—again—that just about every state of mind and heart and life situation is addressed in them! And so maybe that is why I found myself there this morning. There is a lot going on with me right now—spiritually, experientially, mentally! And I’m sorting through a lot of things that have been revealed to me. And even more. . . God is guiding me down a path I’m not certain of. . . so I guess in light of all that, Psalm 62 is perfect for me today!
God is our only hope! He is the source of all good and wonderful things in our lives. It is only through hope and faith in Him and His promises that we have the courage and the strength to live life in this world. He is our rock and fortress when we feel tossed around by events in our lives and in the world. He is a refuge for us when we want to retreat in denial or fear rather than embrace all He offers and joyfully accept each new day as another opportunity to praise Him and honor Him with our lives.
Man is like breath, God is the source of life. The future is uncertain, but full of hope and fulfillment if we trust God and follow His leadings. David reminds us to place no lasting hope in the promises of this life—we have a God in heaven who waits for us! How can we be afraid or uncertain? How can we question our value and worth? How can we help but rejoice that we are God’s beloved creations? Relying upon man is “like a leaning wall, a tottering fence” but God is our rock, our salvation our fortress against the things of this world.
This world can never satisfy us. We were made to be with God, and until we join Him in heaven, we will never find complete satisfaction and fulfillment on this earth. By trusting in God always we achieve and receive the fullest portion of what God has created for us in the here and now. Rely upon Him and he will show us riches—pour out our hearts to Him and He will reveal His truths. This psalm is so comforting and reaffirming. Verses 11 and 12 are my favorites, my NIV translation says, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.”
Live life in total and absolute dependence upon God and you will never be disappointed or left alone. You will feel disappointment, but God will never disappoint you! You will feel alone, but may rest is the calm assurance, that God is with you every moment. God opens His mouth and we are comforted and reassured. If we live rightly, we will be rewarded. That’s all we really need to know to live. God. Only God. And He is more than all-sufficient! He is everything and more! He is the source of all life, the meaning of our lives, and our refuge and strength that under girds everything we do.
So I guess I was directed to this psalm this morning! He’s the God of the long-haul! He’s the God of the details and the plans and the future. He’s the God of everything. He is my God. And I am blessed beyond explanation, definition, or imagining that He loves such as me—mere breath. And I rejoice that He has breathed life into me and made me in His image and likeness. I am comforted that He waits for me in heaven. I am satisfied when I turn over everything in my life to Him, and confident that He has plans to prosper me and build me up, so that I can advance His word to all the world.
I hope you spend today advancing God’s word as He unfolds His perfect, perfectly crafted plan for you life.
Mary
He Chose to Walk Among Us
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John 1:10-14
10. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. 11. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. 12. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; 13. who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
I think these verses are so beautifully lyrical. They somehow capture the power and might, yet grace and beauty of Jesus, the person and the mystery of Jesus as God. It is inconceivable to me that God would cast aside heaven itself to walk among us. Moses talked with God face-to-face often, but that was the “God of Heaven.” Jesus was the “God of Earth.” I know, they’re one in the same, but not really!
Jesus existed in time and space and eternity with God, because he was/is God. And yet he is a separate entity—the part that God loves the most, because he became one of us—his beloved creations, made in his image and likeness. Identical triplets come to mind, or braided hair—they began as one but are made greater together. Jesus walked among those who he knew since creation. He knew what he was in for, yet I think it was more than even he had imagined!
He had existed as God, and though God created humans, until He entered into the form and shape of man, he really didn’t know how confined and limited he would be—and how frail and small and constricted man is—until he took our form. How difficult it must have been to live like that! And yet, even after he had experienced flesh and bone, he opted to continue with the plan.
He laid aside heaven, he set aside divinity. He cast off heaven for a time to be like us. He did it not only out of love, but so that we could accept and believe that he understands. He knows. He’s been there, done that. He has been like us, yet perfect. He has had our thoughts, yet shut them out through prayer. He has felt our pain, and embraced it and made it his own.
He was/is full of grace and truth. The grace God made available to us after he became like us—or rather, we became more because of Christ! The truth—revealed and personified through Christ. The truth that sets us free to claim our own divinity! The truth that God waits for us with Christ in eternity!
And the Holy Spirit is our helper and counselor. The triune God knows us intimately and personally. He became like us to show that he understood. He raises us up to be more than we could be without His grace. He released us from the bondage of sin. He waits for us in heaven. He was in the world, and we were able to talk with Him face-to-face—the God of Heaven and Earth—a better God than that of Moses. The God who fulfilled the prophecies of old, the God who lives within us and through us today.
I am so filled up with awe and wonder and gratitude to be loved by a God who walked among us, lived as one of us, chose to die as a man. And I am even more filled with gratitude and awe that He rose on the third day, so that I could have the promise of a “better God.”
I hope you, “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God,” spend your day reflecting God’s glory to everyone you meet and reveling in a love so strong He chose to walk among us.
Mary
Conquered by the Blood of the Lamb
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Revelation 12:7-17
7. Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8. but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world -- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12. Rejoice then, O heaven and you that dwell therein! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!" 13. And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had borne the male child. 14. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with the flood. 16. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river which the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17. Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
I found chapter 12 so poetic, that I really felt God wanted me to be soothed this morning as I face a challenging day ahead. The rhythm of it is so comforting! I know it seems kind of crazy to say that about a war being waged in heaven! The middle verses bring to mind a great epic battle like one in the Lord of the Rings or other action/adventure movie! But it is comforting to read that God wins—always!
The symbolism abounds throughout Revelation and I don’t often choose this book upon which to reflect but I was in Isaiah and Daniel earlier and a couple of notes referred me this chapter. A war in heaven sounds pretty frightening and I think John’s vision is similar to what I imagine it will be like at the end of time—Satan will fight like mad to keep his power and will frantically pursue as many souls as he can at the end in a desperate attempt to defeat God. Of course, our faith is that it is impossible to rewrite the story that way! But Satan must try—and be defeated.
So how does all this apply to us in 2004? What significance does this battle have for our daily lives? How does this compare to the war we wage against our own sin as we struggle to be worthy of the promise fulfilled for us on Easter morning? I think we can take comfort in knowing that God will win—yet again—at the end of time. Good does always win out over evil It may not seem like that is the case in the short run, but we know it to be true in the long run. Satan cannot defeat the Risen Christ any more than I can lift a car off the ground or I can fly like a bird. It just can’t happen. But he will try. And sometimes he wins out—too often—in the short run.
Because Satan, too, as been around since the beginning of time, he knows us intimately. He knows our weaknesses and frailties. And he preys upon them, attempting to, and too often succeeding in turning us away from the Cross. He wants us for his own. And he offers us a lot! He offers us everything we want in this lifetime! But he drops the ball when it comes to eternal reward! We must be ever watchful! We must guard our hearts and our minds and our souls against him. We must keep our eyes turned to the Cross, and look toward eternity—won for us by the blood of Christ.
Keep our eyes on the cross. God will provide for us everything we need on this earth, and then he gives us even more—eternity with Him. We will look upon His face, and see deeply into His eyes. All our questions will be answered, all our hopes and dreams fulfilled, all our fears relieved, our joy complete. Oh how Satan wishes he could win out over God’s offer of grace! Oh how we, in our weakness and our frailty, opt to take the “easy way” and live for the short term! But it’s not hopeless! Because of the Cross, we always have another chance to turn away from the evil one and gaze upon the cross. But let’s not waste any opportunity to say “no” to Satan and “yes” to grace. We don’t want the one chance we pass up to be the last one!
I hope you spend today like it’s your last chance for God’s grace, keeping your eyes on the cross and your heart fixed on home in heaven.
Mary
God is in the Mix
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Psalm 138
1. I give thee thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing thy praise; 2. I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name for thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness; for thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word. 3. On the day I called, thou didst answer me, my strength of soul thou didst increase. 4. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, for they have heard the words of thy mouth; 5. and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. 6. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he knows from afar. 7. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me. 8. The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands.
David seems to be almost overwhelmed with relief and awe at God’s faithful, unending love! He can’t keep silent! He declares his joy publicly, and revels in the feeling of being so highly thought of and so completely cared for by His loving God. He acknowledges that He is God’s creation and recognizes that it is impossible for God to
not love the works of his own heart and hands.
God stoops to intervene in the world. He comforts us and answers our prayers—in accordance with His purpose for our lives. There is comfort to me that God has a plan! And He formulated his plan for my life and for yours long before he formed us! He perfectly ordained our purpose at the beginning of time, and waited until just the right time for us to live on this earth. He has gifted us to fulfill His purpose and when we rely on Him for strength and guidance, we are able to fulfill that purpose.
This world spins around so fast! Twenty-four hour a day news cycles put the world a little too “up close and personal” for me! It’s so easy to get drawn in to the doom and gloom that sells advertising. It’s all too easy to believe we’re all alone in the struggle to save the environment and preserve human life on this planet! I find great comfort in knowing that, in fact, God sits in heaven and that events unfold as He has planned—and that even the painful, ugly things of this life are used for our good and for our benefit.
Most days, I’m O.K. I can get through the day, and do what I need to do. I can manage my family and my job and my errands without too much thought, even though I expend a great deal of energy. But some days I need the quiet, calm assurance that God is in the mix. Sometimes I need to know that He has a purpose and plan for me that transcends my job and my errands and my attempts to make a life of meaning. Some days I breathe a tremendous, deep sigh of relief that God is in charge. He gives us the comfort, and the purpose. Our prayer need only be for strength and direction.
I hope today you find comfort in a love so strong it cannot be shaken and in a God so big and so good that He cannot leave us alone.
Mary
So Shall Your Name Remain
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Isaiah 65:17-18
17. "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 18. But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Isaiah 66:22
"For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before me, says the Lord; so shall your descendants and your name remain.
Psalm 102:18-28
18. Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord: 19. that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, 20. to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die; 21. that men may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, and in Jerusalem his praise, 22. when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord. 23. He has broken my strength in mid-course; he has shortened my days. 24. "O my God," I say, "take me not hence in the midst of my days, thou whose years endure throughout all generations!" 25. Of old thou didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26. They will perish, but thou dost endure; they will all wear out like a garment. Thou changest them like raiment, and they pass away; 27. but thou art the same, and thy years have no end. 28. The children of thy servants shall dwell secure; their posterity shall be established before thee.
Life is short; but God is eternal. Life is hard; but God is good. Verse 18 talks about writing down the wonders of God and his power and his existence in eternity and into forever. Usually oral recounting of stories was all that was used to “record” history. This truth – God’s truth – is so amazing and awe-inspiring that the psalmist feels compelled to have it written down as a permanent record.
Man is sinful and stubborn and rebellious. But God is full of mercy and patience and forgiveness! His love is powerful enough to transcend any evil thoughts or deeds; his mercy is deep enough to transform our grief and regret into hope and rejoicing. His power is strong enough to endure beyond space and time and history and the future. Long after man is gone from the face of the earth, God will still exist. Faith in Him and in his offer of saving grace makes us “new creatures.”
When we turn our lives over to God, we don’t need to fret and worry about the future. When we trust in His wisdom and believe in His promise, we can sleep soundly at night and live life joyfully and with thanksgiving! God is in charge. He always has been. He always will be. We are transformed by Him and his great mercy and love. He makes all things new. He washes away our sin and shame. He sent Jesus for us. He gave us the best He had – and it was more than enough—far more than we will ever be able to comprehend, and certainly more than we deserved.
God loves us so much that he offers us renewal every time we run back to him. Even when we turn away and try to do things our own way, He waits for us expectantly and patiently. Even when we stubbornly refuse His counsel, he offers us Himself. We have eternal life because of the life His son sacrificed for us. We will live forever in heaven with those who have gone before us! We will all be reunited with them and united with God at the end of time.
So write this down for future generations. God made the world. He’s in charge. He loves us too much to leave us alone.
I hope you spend today recording a history for future generations to read about – proclaiming the good news and rejoicing in God’s grace.
Mary
People Came From Every Quarter
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Mark 1:40-45
40. And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." 41. Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I will; be clean." 42. And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43. And he sternly charged him, and sent him away at once, 44. and said to him, "See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to the people." 45. But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
Touching a leper was considered defilement of oneself, but the compassion Jesus felt for the man transcended accepted practice. This is one of his earliest healings and the story sets the tone for what is to come. Jesus admonishes the man to only tell the priests, and then offer a sacrifice – as prescribed in Mosaic law. He didn’t want to be overrun by people everywhere he went; he wanted freedom to move from town to town. Also, he didn’t want to interfere with God’s timing of when the crucifixion was to take place—if the religious leaders of the day got riled up, they might act before Jesus had finished His mission.
There are a couple of other things about this short passage that struck me this morning. Jesus told the healed leper to offer a sacrifice “for a proof to the people.” He wanted them to know he did respect Mosaic law. He just didn’t want that to be the core of “religion.” He wanted not the law, but the one the law was intended to honor, to be the focus of everything we do. Then there’s the leper. He spread the news to everyone he met! He was so thrilled to be clean! His life very literally and very radically changed when Jesus healed him. He was no longer shunned and abhorred; now he could be a member of society, and live among his neighbors.
Of course, Jesus performed or granted more than just a physical healing here. He forgave the man his sins. The physical healing was problematic enough: the Jews believed only God could heal leprosy. The spiritual renewal was another issue altogether! I wonder if this was the “beginning of the end” for Jesus? Sure he told the leper to observe the law, but didn’t Jesus disregard the law by touching the defiled man?
Jesus’ love transcended any social norms. His compassion for the lost and the lame and the suffering was so deep and all-consuming. Have you noticed Jesus often went away to a solitary place after he performed a miracle? I’m sure he was drained after each one—his very life force must have been strained and he needed to “recharge his batteries” each time. But something else began to happen: Jesus could no longer openly enter a town. So many people needed and wanted to be healed.
And still today we seek what he offers. We long for the touch of his strong, yet gentle hand. We yearn for the peace of mind and heart that only His resurrection grants us. We strive for perfection, always falling short, yet relishing God’s grace—available merely for our whole-hearted efforts. The world isn’t really much different 2000 years later. We still bow down at His feet in adoration, and hope and longing. Heal us.
I hope you spend today feeling God’s healing love, exemplified by Christ and freely offered to each of us who merely need to ask.
Mary
Seek the Good of Your Neighbor
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1 Corinthians 10:23-34
23. "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. 24. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26. For "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." 27. If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28. (But if some one says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience' sake -- 29. I mean his conscience, not yours -- do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man's scruples? 30. If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33. just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
We are not to isolate ourselves from non-Christians. We are not to insulate ourselves from the ways of non-believers. There are many non-Christians who are good people. There a many other religions that are based on love and peace. Paul tells us not to stay apart from others, but to go into the world—into “their” world in order to reach them. We can’t stay shut up in our churches and in our homes and expect to be called disciples! We can’t shun everyone who doesn’t believe as we do, because then we never have a chance to proclaim to them the Good News!
Could Paul actually be condoning a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy? In a way he is! He’s telling believers not to make a big issue out of interrogating a co-worker, neighbor, or acquaintance about their religious practices. Rather, if we serve as an example, the other may ask us the source of our own practices and the beliefs behind them. In other words, we don’t need to be pushy and aggressive. Our lifestyle and the things we say and do should be obvious reflections of our faith. And when others look upon us, they will want to know the source of our strength, love, conviction. They will want to know how to acquire the peace and the grace which God offers—not only to us, but to all who hear and believe.
So, Paul tells us not to go around condemning others for what they believe. But don’t condone behavior that is counter to our own faith, either. Don’t force our faith down the throat of another, but if we notice them acting in a way we don’t accept, it’s our duty to tell them so. Don’t criticize others for their actions, but rather guide and direct them out of love for them as fellow human beings. Again, set such a good example that others seek you out.
That’s a pretty tall order! Just sitting in traffic on the way to work, you can throw that good intention out the window—let alone when we arrive at the office on a Monday morning! Just making a grocery list and organizing coupons can cause enough anxiety and frustration, without playing cart hockey and maneuvering around slow, indecisive shoppers without a clue! Just living in the world can be hard, if we don’t remember that our life is a gift and our promise is that of Gods’ grace!
I hope you spend today living such a joyful, grace-filled life that others stop to look at you and wonder, “Who is this God to whom you give glory?”
Mary
Testify both to small and great
Acts 26:9-23
9. "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10. And I did so in Jerusalem; I not only shut up many of the saints in prison, by authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme; and in raging fury against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 12. "Thus I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining round me and those who journeyed with me. 14. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, `Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.' 15. And I said, `Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, `I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16. But rise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and bear witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17. delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles -- to whom I send you 18. to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' 19. "Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20. but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their repentance. 21. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23. that the Christ must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles."
Our conviction about being Christians would be so much more ardent and our courage to declare our faith would be so much stronger if we had actually seen Jesus for ourselves! Paul declares that he only did what anyone in his situation would have done: obey what the “vision” commanded! I’m pretty sure if you saw Jesus – in “person” or in a vision and it had that kind of impact on you, you’d be preaching day and night! You’d risk ridicule, fortunes, reputation, your very life!
Why is it so hard for us to step out in faith with that kind of courage! We don’t risk our physical safety – not most places here in America anyway. Paul was accused of blasphemy! He understood exactly what was at stake! He understood because he had been one on the “other side.” He had persecuted the Jews – had grown up aspiring to become a Pharisee and in fact lived his adult life as one of the most devout and zealous Pharisees. If God could forgive him, he can forgive anyone!
If Christ crucified can change the heart and mind of such a man, he can change yours and mine. And he can change the world – but we need to be the vehicles of change! We need to declare the good news. We need to preach salvation. We need to live it like we mean it. We need to risk what Paul risked: everything! Because that’s what Jesus gave us: everything.
I hope you spend today risking your reputation, and sharing your faith by proclaiming that we are saved by the cross.
Mary
Why is it Thought Incredible?
Acts 25:23-27, 26:1-8
23. So on the morrow Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then by command of Festus Paul was brought in. 24. And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25. But I found that he had done nothing deserving death; and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to send him. 26. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you, and, especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him." 26
1. Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: 2. "I think myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3. because you are especially familiar with all customs and controversies of the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4. "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6. And now I stand here on trial for hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7. to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8. Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
Why, indeed?! Paul is taunting these wise, powerful, puffed-up religious types! He’s asking them why, if they profess to worship such a powerful God, would they doubt his ability to raise the dead? Why, if the God of the Jews is so strong and mighty, could he not fulfill the promises he made through the prophets? Why was it not possible or likely that the Messiah had, indeed, come during their life time?
Paul understands! He was a Pharisee! And if his heart can be changed, if his mind can be opened, if his soul can be touched, why couldn’t those of these Jewish accusers?! Why? Didn’t they believe in the promise to the twelve tribes? Didn’t they accept God’s word as truth? Didn’t God, after all, swear by himself that he would keep his promise? What exactly is going on here? Agrippa must have felt, as Festus had, a twinge of curiosity. He must have wondered if there could, in any tiny way, be truth and validity to what this man was saying.
Paul was risking his life to testify to this! Other false prophets had come and gone. Many claimed to be the Messiah—but not this man . . . He claimed only to have seen him and to have been changed by him. He claimed only what had been promised to all believers—to be saved from our sin by the Christ. It’s impossible for a man to rise from the dead. But was this Jesus really just a man? . . . Could it be true? . . . could Paul actually be perfectly sane and simply overcome with the power of Jesus risen?
Do you ever wonder these things? Did it really happen the way it’s written in the bible? Do you ever doubt it – even just a little in the recesses of your mind? Do you ever think the whole thing is just too much to wrap your head and your heart around? I think that’s part of what the problem was here. But I also think these powerful religious leaders were afraid of losing some of their authority. If all this was true, they would not be the ones speaking with the power of conviction and authority on the word of God anymore!
I think today we hesitate to declare ourselves as Christians. At work people might think we’re kind of weird if we proclaim our faith. If we live like true Christians, we really won’t exactly fit in to the corporate culture of most work places. And that can be tough. Some days it even might make life very difficult. But like Paul, we must never miss an opportunity to spread the good news. We must not miss a chance to touch another life or save another soul through the Holy Spirit using our words—received from Christ himself.
Jesus walked this earth as a man. He was hung a cross. He died. He rose. History began and ended on that day for us as Christians. Doubt, waiting, wondering all ended on Easter morning! And the world will never be the same. Nor will we! The old has passed away. A new covenant has been established.
I hope you spend today asking others: “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”
Mary
The Word of the Lord Prevailed Mightily
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Acts 19:1-7, 13-20
1. While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2. And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3. And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." 4. And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." 5. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7. There were about twelve of them in all. 13. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14. Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15. But the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" 16. And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, mastered all of them, and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17. And this became known to all residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all; and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18. Many also of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19. And a number of those who practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20. So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.
The sorcerers we amazed at the power Paul invoked through the Holy Spirit! It was far more than they could accomplish, even with the most powerful spells and incantations. They didn’t understand that the baptism Paul preached was not from man, or through the power of man. They foolishly assumed that Paul possessed magical powers! But when the Holy Spirit did come on the twelve whom Paul baptized, it was cause for repentance! Such power! God used even the evil spirits to work for his purpose!
Sometimes it takes more than a quiet coincidence, or hearing a faint whisper in our ear for God to get our attention! It would be so much easier if we didn’t have television and radio noise 24/7 and cars and trucks and buses and fire engines and police cars all blasting us and assaulting our senses make it nearly impossible to hear that whisper! If life were all easily divided into black and white, right and wrong, good an bad, we could discern so much more clearly what to do and how to act in any given situation. But life in 2004 presents us so many “gray areas” so many things that seem right in certain situations that really are partly wrong—which means wrong! Good and bad as concepts are reduced to political party attack ads and blurred by exceptions made for the wealthy and the famous in terms of jail sentences and other consequences of breaking the law.
But it really comes down to one thing: we believe or we don’t. Right is right and wrong is wrong. That’s just how it is. Jesus left no room for equivocation! He challenged anybody who responded to him with, “but . . .” There was no time for hesitation or doubt! Repent, reform. Accept God’s gift of grace, earned for us by Jesus. Live accordingly.
I don’t know about anybody else, but I’ve got a lot of work to do! Those evil spirits seem to abound in my comings and goings. But God uses even evil to accomplish the greater good! Jesus hung on a cross for us—no evil spirit, no matter how powerful, could offer us that much love, hope and grace.
I hope today you’ll burn those books of how you lived before you were saved and proclaim the good news of the Risen Christ without hesitation and extol the name of Jesus.
Mary
Jesus, who was dead, but now is alive
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Acts 25:13-19
13. Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome Festus. 14. And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man left prisoner by Felix; 15. and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews gave information about him, asking for sentence against him. 16. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up any one before the accused met the accusers face to face, and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17. When therefore they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. 18. When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed; 19. but they had certain points of dispute with him about their own superstition and about one Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
Felix was the governor of Caesarea before whom the chief priests and legal scholars presented Paul. Felix couldn’t find any justification to execute Paul, as requested, so he threw him in prison and held him there. And when he left office, as a favor to the Jews, he left Paul imprisoned. That’s where the story picks up.
Festus was so shocked that Paul had committed no actual crime—he really couldn’t even find his preaching offensive, even if it seemed crazy to declare a man all knew was dead and buried to be alive! What was the crime in that? Did merely offending the Jewish leaders make Paul a criminal? A blasphemer? Yes, he was a bit nutty! Probably even out of his mind. Yet . . . he spoke with such conviction. . . I think that’s why Felix couldn’t act against him. That plus the fact that Paul was divinely protected—because he had so much more to do!
The world today has many superstitions about one Jesus. Many don’t believe everything we believe about the power of a risen Christ. Some in this world can’t comprehend a love so strong that it held him up on the cross. Many can’t understand why God would make such a profound and painful sacrifice for such as us. The earth spins round and round without embracing the ebb and flow of a world created by and watched over by and saved by a God of mercy and love and grace.
Who is this Jesus the Jews so feared? Who was this mad man declaring Jesus had risen from the dead? Paul was unafraid to be called a fool—and more—he did not fear death! He was willing to be put to death for what he believed: Jesus was not only the fulfillment of the scriptures, he was so much more than even the prophets could have imagined!
The world still needs this Jesus. We need a Jesus for whom we are not afraid to testify. We need a Jesus who takes away our sins and soothes our sorrows and heals our brokenness. We need a risen Christ who fulfills the prophecies of history. We need a Jesus who changed the history of the world for all time. I need this Jesus, who was dead, but now is alive and living in each of us through the Holy Spirit!
I hope you spend today unafraid to be called a fool for Jesus as you help others to see the power and the beauty of the risen Lord.
Mary
Jesus Calls Us to Him
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ark 1:14-20
14. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15. and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." 16. And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." 18. And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20. And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.
Luke 5:27-32
27. After this he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." 28. And he left everything, and rose and followed him. 29. And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. 30. And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31. And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
I wonder if, after John’s arrest, his followers looked around and mumbled among themselves, “Now what do we do?” I’ll bet the Galileans had no idea what was about to happen in their little town! They may have thought John was “out there” but Jesus was about to really shock and amaze them! And what about the disciples? Did they really just drop everything and follow Jesus, just like that? The gospel accounts vary slightly in terms of the time lines and some of the details, but each of them emphasizes the immediacy of the response of the twelve who became the apostles when Jesus called them.
History was ripe for a Messiah! In the minds of the people of this time, he was long past due! They desperately wanted John to be the promised one! In fact, there were many false prophets, self-proclaimed messiahs at that time. So how did this one differ from them? Why did these fishermen, tax collectors, tradesmen leave behind the lives they knew and follow this odd young man?
Jesus was not unknown to the people of this area. He had been traveling around and preaching for some time. The twelve, and many others had heard him preaching and proclaiming salvation. So he wasn’t a stranger. But he was certainly not recognized by all as the Savior! He was a carpenter’s son! Without droning on and on, there was really only one conclusion to reach: he spoke with the authority of the heavenly father. He declared he spoke on behalf of his father. He healed cripples and performed many other miracles to “get the attention” of those who were hesitant to get their hopes up, and those who needed a little encouragement to believe.
But these twelve—who Jesus selected out of a large band of followers—were different. They were drawn to him, not only as the Messiah, but as a man, a friend, a companion, a teacher, a brother. I think he must have emanated such a powerful life force, that some were frightened, perhaps even repulsed when in his presence, because their own sin and ugliness were reflected back. These men were not perfect. Far from it! But their obedience was perfect when they received His summons. They left the life they knew behind. They had been forever changed merely by being in his presence and by the power of his words.
How could they ever be the same again!? How could they not follow after him and learn everything he had to teach them? How could they help but to spread the good news throughout the world!? They walked away from their former lives. That’s what Jesus calls us to do too. Walk away from our sin, our past, our lives as unbelievers and idol worshippers. Follow. Hear. Believe. Live.
It sounds so simple. And it is. But its not easy! I hope you spend today following Jesus, spreading the good news to everyone you meet.
Mary
Wings Like Eagles
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Isaiah 40:1-5, 31
1. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3. A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." 31. but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
In ancient times, messengers or envoys were sent ahead of the king or other noble person who planned a visit. A processional highway was cleared of any obstacles and I imagine sentries were placed along the way to ensure the safety of the monarch.
Double comfort is proclaimed to start this passage. Great comfort, comfort only God can provide. God reveals to Isaiah that soon [relative to God’s time!] Israel will be restored and her exile in Babylon will be over. The people will be restored, made whole, so don’t fret and worry any more. The “voice” crying in verse 3 is John the Baptist. John proclaims God’s power (through Jesus Christ) as far surpassing that of an earthly king’s envoys. Not only will the road be cleared, but the mountains will be made low; our journey through the “valley” will easier and lifted up. Every obstacle to our salvation will be removed through Christ’s sacrifice.
John is the envoy of Jesus. He goes ahead to prepare the way—to soften the hearts and open the minds to the possibility of the Messiah. He promises God’s grace—far more than we deserve—but the demonstration of God’s ability and willingness to renew us. I’ve heard and read these verses many times. And every time, I do indeed find comfort in them. The whole chapter offers verse upon verse of comfort and assurance of God’s presence in our lives through every experience.
We are reminded that God made every person, every mountain, every ocean and all the stars in the sky. His wisdom is beyond our grasp and His love is beyond human capacity. Life won’t be easy—that’s not the promise. The promise is that at the end of it—we will be rewarded far more than we can even comprehend. Our joy and our peace will be far more than we have “earned” and certainly far more than we deserve. But it is ours, nonetheless, because of God’s great mercy.
He has the power to reshape the face of the earth. And He has the power to mold and shape and change us to be more like His Son. If we wait for His insights and revelations to us, if we open our hearts and our minds to His wisdom, we will continually be renewed and we will indeed “mount up with wings like eagles” and not be weary or faint. We will thrive and we will rejoice in our salvation, even through our trials. Even through pain and suffering and uncertainty and doubt. Even though illness and death.
The God who made the mountains and the valleys, the deserts and the seas also made us. Small and frail and full of sin. And yet He cannot help but draw us to Himself. He cannot help but dote on us and heap upon us blessings and grace upon grace.
I hope you spend today rejoicing in the hope and the promise of eternal life, offered by God, earned for us by His Son.
Mary
Open the Gate
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Acts 12:1-14
1. About that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 2. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; 3. and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 6. The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; 7. and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. 8. And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your mantle around you and follow me." 9. And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. 11. And Peter came to himself, and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." 12. When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14. Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and told that Peter was standing at the gate.
We know the family of Herod was not nice (this Herod is the grandson of “the” Herod the Great)! And when Herod saw how his popularity increased upon persecuting other “Christians,” he looked around for some more troublemakers he could arrest and execute—to buy him even more popularity. Isn’t it interesting though that he had Peter so closely guarded—handcuffed to two guards—one on each side, sentries at the door, a total of 16 guards—for one man! And the cell where Peter was being held was in a tower inside a fortress inside a walled city!
What was Herod afraid of? Well I guess his worse fear was realized! I hope you’ll read the entire book of Acts. It reads better than any action/adventure novel you can think of. What an exciting time to be a live! During the time this story takes place the followers of Jesus first were labeled “Christians.” But in that time it was really tough—not like today in America. You literally risked your life by declaring your faith. God blanketed these early Christians with the Holy Spirit to empower them and embolden them. They knew what they were risking! But they simply could not be silent!
There is so much for us to ponder in these verses! Peter was scheduled for execution the following morning. Yet he slept soundly. He did not fear death, because he knew without doubt what awaited him! He longed for heaven. But God knew that even Peter might need a little encouragement! And obviously God wasn’t done using Peter—he had a whole world of Gentiles to convert! Peter was re-energized by his miraculous escape! And that energy was surely contagious. In fact, Peter seeks out those who had been praying for him. They needed an answered prayer, too! And God provided one. Dangerous times call for dramatic, unarguable miracles!
So how does all this apply to you and me? Are we like Rhoda—we know the Good News, but we have a hard time living it out? Are we like Herod: we know the truth and are afraid, because we have chosen to live counter to what Jesus has taught us? Or are we like the believers in the Upper Room: praying constantly? My Bible Reader’s Companion suggests that we need to go one step beyond the believers in the upper room. We must “throw open the gate” of our faith, to allow God to fully work in us through the Holy Spirit. We must open our hearts and minds and not limit God because of our own limitations! That’s pretty exciting to think about! Let go. Let God. How much proof do we need that He is far more capable and visionary that we could ever be!?
I hope you’ll spend today letting God work in you, unhindered by your human limitations. Let Go. Let God.
Mary
Remove the Names of the Baals
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Hosea 2:14-23
14. "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. 15. And there I will give her her vineyards, and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. 16. "And in that day, says the Lord, you will call me, `My husband,' and no longer will you call me, `My Baal.' 17. For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be mentioned by name no more. 18. And I will make for you a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie down in safety. 19. And I will betroth you to me for ever; I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. 20. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness; and you shall know the Lord. 21. "And in that day, says the Lord, I will answer the heavens and they shall answer the earth; 22. and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil, and they shall answer Jezreel; 23. and I will sow him for myself in the land. And I will have pity on Not pitied, and I will say to Not my people, `You are my people'; and he shall say `Thou art my God.'"
Hosea is a very short book –14 short chapters—but is so full of symbolism! And full of hope and renewed promises! To summarize the story up to this point: God tells Hosea to take an unfaithful wife (Gomer). Get the parallel? Gomer is Israel. They have a son together, then Gomer has a daughter, who she names Lo-Ruhamah, which here means “not pitied,” and the son she names Lo-Ammi, “not my people.” It is believed that both the daughter and second son have been fathered by someone other than Hosea. God tells Hosea to take back his adulterous wife and restore the loving relationship they had as newlyweds. He will make Gomer faithful and loving from the moment Hosea forgives her and offers again his love and trust to his wife.
O.K. So Gomer represents adulterous Israel. One more twist/sidebar: Each province or locality had a god referred to as Baal—this god was the god of fertile crops and farm animals. Worship of the Baals involved lascivious rites and human sacrifice. That pretty much brings us up to verse 14! Oh, one last play on words: the Hebrew word for Baal is translated “lord,” “possessor,” “husband.” God, through Hosea, is promising to forgive Israel’s idol worship (adultery) and restore the marriage of Himself with His bride (Israel).
Even through sin, rebellion, adultery, ritual murder—God remains with them and in them. Finally, He has enough and beseeches His beloved people to repent so that they may enjoy the blessings of His love and graciousness. He offers them bounty and the best of everything, if they will turn back to Him. Turn away from idols. Reject the gods of our own making, of our desires. Turn to God. He will restore us, renew us, refresh us. He will wipe the slate clean and make us pure and white as new-fallen snow.
God will restore the whole world to its proper alignment—sky will answer earth, God restores the earth when He renames her Jezreel, “God plants.” With the full explanation of the symbolism of the names of the key players, this book sounds so much like life today, doesn’t it!? We make gods of sports figures, of movie stars, of ourselves. We seek to satisfy our every desire and sacrifice anything to have what we want.
God wants to restore us to himself. He wants us to no longer merely serve him, but become his beloved. He offers us love and mercy and grace, not judgment and condemnation. He wants to restore us to Himself. It’s not easy to choose God over things of this world. We can see and touch and experience worldly things. God is not a physical thing. We must go deep within ourselves to find Him. That’s not easy with the fast-paced, loud, intrusive world we live in! It’s hard to hear the voice within, the urging of the Holy Spirit, the voice of God. We can’t touch the nail-pierced hands of Christ.
But God loves us anyway. I cannot imagine that kind of capacity for forgiveness. I cannot imagine that bounty of love. I cannot conceive of God’s grace—so underserved. God loves us anyway.
I hope you spend today abolishing the Baals in your life, and turning to God the father, His resurrected Son, and the Holy Spirit as you repent and run back to your beloved.
Mary
He is Doing a New Thing
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Isaiah 43:16-27
16. Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17. who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18. "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21. the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. 22. "Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! 23. You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you with frankincense. 24. You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins, you have wearied me with your iniquities. 25. "I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. 26. Put me in remembrance, let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right. 27. Your first father sinned, and your mediators transgressed against me.
It’s hard to imagine God getting tired, weary, spent. But if you think about the long history of man, and our propensity for defiance and our inclination to sin, it must just be absolutely exhausting for Him! I know . . . he made the earth and the sky and everything on it and under it . . . I know, it’s almost sacrilegious to say such things about God. But really . . . even God must feel absolutely exasperated with man sometimes!
He points out through Isaiah that he saved His chosen ones from slavery, gave them a chance to have a land He set aside just for them. A Holy Land, for the Holy People. But they just didn’t get it! They complained and whined and turned away from God because they perceived that it was just too hard to be the Chosen Ones! God required their hearts and minds and souls. They would have preferred his asking for burnt offerings and fasting. They could manage that, it was for a set time, and then life could resume as before. And we haven’t really changed that much in 2000 years, have we?
Even the animals honor God, even the “dumb” beasts pay homage to Him. But man, created in God’s image and likeness seek after God’s greatness for themselves. We want to make our own rules and establish our own criteria for living. We weary God with our rebellion and our sin. We offer half-hearted sacrifice. We praise him with hollow words and shallow thoughts. We keep asking for forgiveness . . . and then we keep on sinning.
God is telling us to forget the past! Not to forget our sin and his unending patience and mercy, but to forget our former way of living and of worshipping. He declares for the Israelites that Christ is coming. Prepare your minds and hearts to be not only astounded, but healed and enlightened! He doesn’t want us to keep offering less than our all. He doesn’t desire empty words and thoughtless deeds. He wants us to look at the cross! Think about how Christ became our sin so that we no longer have to live under the shadow of sin. Realize God’s unfathomable mercy through the grace He awards us.
Forget the way you used to live. Live like you’re saved. Change your ways. Change your thoughts. Change your life. God is waiting. Remember the past as a reminder of God’s patience and love and mercy. But look to the future with longing and rejoicing. Christ is risen. Even the things of old are new through His resurrection! And never forget that we belong to God.
I hope you spend today longing for eternity, remembering God’s mercy and rejoicing in His grace.
Mary
God’s Prized Creations
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Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Isaiah 43:1-3
1. But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
Isaiah 44:1-5
1. "But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! 2. Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. 3. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring. 4. They shall spring up like grass amid waters, like willows by flowing streams. 5. This one will say, `I am the Lord's,' another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, `The Lord's,' and surname himself by the name of Israel."
Years ago, I was an “arts and crafts queen!” It was so satisfying to complete a stenciling project, or sewing a pair of curtains, or making decorative knick-knacks. When we create something, it becomes a part of us—it’s meaningful to us and we have a sense of ownership with it. Imagine how God must feel about us! We are His creations. He thought of us, he formed us, he breathed life into us. He wouldn’t go to all that trouble and then leave us alone to struggle and roam aimlessly through life!
When I finish sewing the final hem on a Christmas wall hanging, or complete an intricate cross-stitch project, I like to hold it, feel the texture of the fabric in my hands, drape it over the back of a chair and look at it—I want to feel that sense of satisfaction and joy at having created something beautiful. I enjoy even more giving my creations to others. It makes me feel as if I am giving them a part of myself, something special and meaningful.
God gives us each other. He wants us to feel that sense of satisfaction and joy when we interact with each other. We are to love each other and lift each other up. We are, each and every one of us, His prized creations, crafted in love and skillfully constructed. He gives us to each other. He created us in His image and likeness. How he must sit back and admire His creations! Even when we sin, even when we fail to live up to expectations, he still loves us! I don’t hate something I’ve made because it has some imperfections! That’s part of the beauty! It’s imperfect, but made in love and care.
God is so good to us. He has made us, chosen us and claims us for his own. He offers us refuge, comfort, assurance of eternal life. Even when we are in a difficult situation, or going through a painful experience, He wants us to remember that we are his. The same God who made the stars and the rain, who made Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Etna erupt, who made hurricanes and sunsets and the Grand Canyon made us. So when we feel small and insignificant, we would do well to remember that “the best things come in small packages!”
God made us last – he “saved the best for last!” We are his beloved, prized creations, and He will never abandon us, forget us, or leave us on our own in the world. He longs for us to join Him in eternity, even more than we desire to see His face. I cannot fathom a love that great and strong. I cannot imagine a love that complete and sure. But I rejoice in that love! I call upon it and rely upon it every day of my life.
God is good. He made us, He loves us. He wants us to know that. He has sent His prophets, He sent His Son. He lends us the Holy Spirit. He gave us everything He had.
I hope you spend today rejoicing that your cup overflows and writing on your hand, `The Lord's.'
Mary
Abounding in Thanksgiving
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Colossians 2:1-7
1. For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen my face, 2. that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in love, to have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, of Christ, 3. in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4. I say this in order that no one may delude you with beguiling speech. 5. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 6. As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, 7. rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Paul’s first statement points to the fact that we should not only be in constant prayer, but that we should pray for even those people we don’t know personally—pray for those beyond our close circle of friends, beyond our “sphere of influence.” Weekly individuals pray for every single person on the rolls at Good Shepherd. Paul tells us that is only the beginning. We also must be in prayer for our neighborhood, our community, our country and our world—all inclusive. We pray for fellow Christians, and especially pray for non-Christians—that they may somehow receive the saving words of salvation. Paul assures the Colossians that they are in his constant, ardent prayers.
In order to remain strong as a Christian community, Paul exhorts the Colossians to be encouraged as they “are knit together in love” and that as they minister to each other, their understanding of Christ’s message becomes more and more clear and rules their lives more and more. Wisdom and knowledge are not hidden in this verse, as in secreted away, out of sight, but rather hidden away like a valued treasure, a family heirloom—to guard and protect it and to ensure its continued integrity.
Bottom line is, the Colossians have heard the Good News. It’s now time to put into action what they know and believe. They shouldn’t need to be reminded, over and over, what it means to be a Christian! Paul’s saying, “keep up the good work!” But he also reminds them to stay rooted in Christ, and to keep each other on the right path. Don’t be influenced by what the world tells you, or promises you. Don’t believe everything you hear and see. Test everything against the one real truth that has been revealed to us through Christ Jesus.
What does all that mean for us today? I think it means that we are to continue to seek a broader meaning and a deeper understanding of God’s divine word revealed through scripture. I think we’re compelled to guard our faith—stay grounded in it—make it the thing we draw on for wisdom, for strength, and for good judgment. Teach that truth to our children, our friends, and to the world. View the world through the eyes of a Christian—and vote responsibly, support organizations that promote our Christian values. More than that it means that we live in utter and absolute reliance upon God, faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit! Our triune God offers us everything we need to live. And we are to celebrate that amazing, unspeakable gift of grace! Abounding in thanksgiving, we are to offer ourselves as “living sacrifices.”
I hope you spend today rejoicing in the truth, abounding in thanksgiving and offering yourself as a living sacrifice to an unsaved world.
Mary
